1. In the space below, describe the stasis at the beginning of the play NOT THE FILM of Real Women Have Curves. In other words, “Where are we?” “When is it (time, day, and year)?” “Who are the people involved?” “What is the dramatic situation in which the characters find themselves as the play unfolds?”
The main character of the play is Ana. Her mother and coworkers are involved in the play. Majority of the play takes place in the factory in which they work during the year 1987 in Los Angeles. In the play, Ana wants to pursue her education and desire with regard to writing as the factory may also close down soon too.
2. What is the intrusion that causes the stasis to be broken in the play and the dramatic action to develop, often at an increasingly rapid pace, to the end of the play?
When Ana takes off her clothes, it causes an intrusion in the play that leads to everyone becoming comfortable with their own body. It also changes the whole dynamic of the play.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor which is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place?
I believe the unique factor is when they figure out that they could all possibly lose the company.
4. State the dramatic questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
Will they lose the factory and their jobs? Will Ana continue her love for writing?
5. Use Ana, the central character, to answer the questions. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, that is, the dramatic actions that are taken by that character. Examine what Ana wants (NOTE: In Real Women Ana's wants seem to be in flux. They change as the play progresses). The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles.
Ana at first seems to struggle with "Me against self" at first as she struggles to accept her bodily figure but I feel as if it coincides with "Me against individual" as she struggles with forming a relationship with her mother. But then as the play progresses, she struggles with "Me against fate" as she may not be able to continue her schooling due to personal circumstances.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Real Women Have Curves.
The acceptance into the journalism fellowship is the most theatrical moment. I also thought that the removal of their clothes was a very dramatic scene too.
7. Provide at least three examples of images in Real Women. How does the title of the play help us understand the images in the play? (Remember Ball says that, “An image is the use of something we know that tells us something we don’t know.” He goes on to say that images invoke and expand, rather than define and limit.”)
Real Women Have Curves basically says it for itself, throughout the play the females change their attitude towards their body from worrying about their weight and how they look to not worrying about it and loving their bodies for what it is. This leads them to change the stigma that every female needs to have a slim body, and that women who weigh more are just as beautiful if not more beautiful (leading them to be called Real Women). Some of the images in the play are: Nudity- when they remove their clothing, this allows for the women to show off their curves. Journalism- this provides insight into the love that Ana has for writing. Dresses- the dresses they have represent the women traits of themselves.
8. Ordinarily, there are many themes in most plays. List the themes in Real Women.
Self-respect Individualism Women empowerment Togetherness
9. Most American plays have something to do with family and/or family relationships. What does family have to do with the dramatic action in Real Women? Is family redefined in this play? If so, how and why?
Carmen was the closest family to Ana and she was a harsh and blunt mother; the mother's harsh words towards Ana led her to make the choice to revolt and take her clothes off which led to the change of the flow of the play.
Summary of Chicano and Hispanic theatre in the USA:
Hispanic and Chicano theatre in the USA had a main purpose and that was to demonstrate the struggles that Hispanics had to go through. Whether that be through racism, citizenship, the workforce, etc. So essentially a lot of Latin artists decided to portray these struggles in the form of theatre. It educated many people in America of their struggles in a more entertaining fashion while still having true, serious meaning behind it. "Real Women Have Curves is a classic play that coincides with the goal and purpose of Hispanic and Chicano theatre. I believe the perseverance of their culture was another reason why they made sure to continue theatre so that the audience would be able to get a full grasp of the Latino experience, especially after the annexation following the Spanish-American war.
The main character of the play is Ana. Her mother and coworkers are involved in the play. Majority of the play takes place in the factory in which they work during the year 1987 in Los Angeles. In the play, Ana wants to pursue her education and desire with regard to writing as the factory may also close down soon too.
2. What is the intrusion that causes the stasis to be broken in the play and the dramatic action to develop, often at an increasingly rapid pace, to the end of the play?
When Ana takes off her clothes, it causes an intrusion in the play that leads to everyone becoming comfortable with their own body. It also changes the whole dynamic of the play.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor which is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place?
I believe the unique factor is when they figure out that they could all possibly lose the company.
4. State the dramatic questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
Will they lose the factory and their jobs?
Will Ana continue her love for writing?
5. Use Ana, the central character, to answer the questions. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, that is, the dramatic actions that are taken by that character. Examine what Ana wants (NOTE: In Real Women Ana's wants seem to be in flux. They change as the play progresses). The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles.
Ana at first seems to struggle with "Me against self" at first as she struggles to accept her bodily figure but I feel as if it coincides with "Me against individual" as she struggles with forming a relationship with her mother. But then as the play progresses, she struggles with "Me against fate" as she may not be able to continue her schooling due to personal circumstances.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Real Women Have Curves.
The acceptance into the journalism fellowship is the most theatrical moment. I also thought that the removal of their clothes was a very dramatic scene too.
7. Provide at least three examples of images in Real Women. How does the title of the play help us understand the images in the play? (Remember Ball says that, “An image is the use of something we know that tells us something we don’t know.” He goes on to say that images invoke and expand, rather than define and limit.”)
Real Women Have Curves basically says it for itself, throughout the play the females change their attitude towards their body from worrying about their weight and how they look to not worrying about it and loving their bodies for what it is. This leads them to change the stigma that every female needs to have a slim body, and that women who weigh more are just as beautiful if not more beautiful (leading them to be called Real Women). Some of the images in the play are:
Nudity- when they remove their clothing, this allows for the women to show off their curves.
Journalism- this provides insight into the love that Ana has for writing.
Dresses- the dresses they have represent the women traits of themselves.
8. Ordinarily, there are many themes in most plays. List the themes in Real Women.
Self-respect
Individualism
Women empowerment
Togetherness
9. Most American plays have something to do with family and/or family relationships. What does family have to do with the dramatic action in Real Women? Is family redefined in this play? If so, how and why?
Carmen was the closest family to Ana and she was a harsh and blunt mother; the mother's harsh words towards Ana led her to make the choice to revolt and take her clothes off which led to the change of the flow of the play.
Summary of Chicano and Hispanic theatre in the USA:
Hispanic and Chicano theatre in the USA had a main purpose and that was to demonstrate the struggles that Hispanics had to go through. Whether that be through racism, citizenship, the workforce, etc. So essentially a lot of Latin artists decided to portray these struggles in the form of theatre. It educated many people in America of their struggles in a more entertaining fashion while still having true, serious meaning behind it. "Real Women Have Curves is a classic play that coincides with the goal and purpose of Hispanic and Chicano theatre. I believe the perseverance of their culture was another reason why they made sure to continue theatre so that the audience would be able to get a full grasp of the Latino experience, especially after the annexation following the Spanish-American war.